Fluoride flows to the east coast

Scamander and Bicheno residents connected to the TasWater supply network will soon be joining the majority of Tasmanians in receiving a fluoridated water supply.

Until now water in the township has not been fluoridated but in line a directive from the Minister for Health, TasWater will be adding fluoride from November.

Fluoridation of water supplies is a public health measure designed to reduce dental decay and is supported by health authorities around the world.

Fluoride dosing equipment is currently being installed at the Scamander and Bicheno water treatment plants to enable this to be undertaken.

TasWater’s acting Chief Executive Officer, Glen Jameson, said customers would be unlikely to notice any difference at all in their water once fluoride dosing commences.

“Fluoride levels will be in strict accordance with limits set out in the Australian Drinking Water Guidelines (ADWG) and will not change either the smell or the taste of the water supplied by TasWater,” Mr Jameson said.

The water supplies at Scamander and Bicheno will be tested daily to ensure fluoride levels remain in accordance with national standards.

More information about fluoridation is available online from the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) website at www.dhhs.tas.gov.au/publichealth/water/drinking/mains/fluoride or by calling the DHHS Public Health Hotline on 1800 671 738.

TasWater has written to all residents of Scamander and Bicheno advising them that fluoridation is on the way. It will be writing to residents again within the next few weeks providing the exact date on which fluoride dosing will commence.
Simon Pilkington, TasWater